Cuban-American business leader contests Mamdani for mayor of New York City

Joseph Hernandez Enters NYC Mayoral Race

Joseph Hernandez, a 52-year-old entrepreneur from Cuba, has decided to run for mayor of New York City, citing a response to the leftist policies supported by Zoran Mamdani.

“I’m the complete opposite of Zohran Mamdani and everything he stands for,” Hernandez shared in a conversation. “I firmly believe in hard work, education, and determination as key factors for success in this country.”

Hernandez, who runs Blue Water Venture Partners—a company focused on healthcare and technology investments—has started numerous healthcare and pharmaceutical businesses throughout his career, as stated on his campaign site. He mentioned, “Honestly, I don’t really have to do this at this stage in my life, but I care about the future of this incredible city.”

Launched about a month ago, Hernandez’s independent campaign has reportedly raised around $300,000 so far. “I feel we have significant backing. This is a tough battle, and we need more support,” he commented, acknowledging the daunting political landscape he faces.

If elected, Hernandez aims to prioritize safety, affordability, and technological advancements. He believes in hiring 10,000 more police officers, leveraging AI to improve city services, and repurposing vacant office spaces for affordable housing.

“Cities just aren’t safe anymore,” Hernandez pointed out. “You can’t even ride the subway at night without fear. Women face attacks almost nightly; it’s chaotic. There’s a glaring lack of law and respect for the law.”

Reflecting on his childhood, Hernandez recalled moving to the United States at the age of 7 to flee Fidel Castro’s regime. He described his father’s experience as a political prisoner who resisted communism and lost everything. “We came here with nothing… It’s a remarkable society, and I worry we’re losing what makes it special,” he lamented.

He understands some concerns about diluting the moderate-conservative voter base but feels the real challenge pertains to how elections are conducted in New York City. Recently, he even filed a lawsuit against the city to address the electoral voting system, particularly regarding ranked choice voting.

A recent Siena poll indicates that Zoran Mamdani is leading the Democratic mayoral race with 44%, followed by former Governor Andrew Cuomo at 25%, Republican Curtis Sliwa at 12%, and the current Mayor Eric Adams at 7%.